Time switch mechanism



Feb. 18, 1.936. G, STQKES 2,031,187.

TIME SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. 22, 1934 I/V V/YTOR l Gfonaf S T0455. l

BMM

. /7 7' TOF/Vix Patented Feb.- 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE Application August 22,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a time switch mechanism whereby a switch is opened and closed at timed intervals which intervals are adjustable by the operator.

An object of my invention is to provide a time switch which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a novel time switch mechanism, the actuating gear of which rotates once in twenty four hours, and in rotating, will both open and close an electrical circuit.

A further object is to provide a novel time switch of the character stated which can be mounted upon chronometers now in general use.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a front plan view of my time switch mechanism with the cover plates removed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the actuating cam, and showing a fragment of the adjustable arms.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the time switch mechanism.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the chronometer with the switch mechanism mounted thereon, the case being broken away to show interior construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I indicates a chronometer of usual and well known construction, which may be either electrically or spring actuated. The chronometer continuously rotates a shaft 2 in one direction. A gear 3 is mounted on theshaft 2 and this gear meshes with a reduction gear 4.

A post 5 is xedly mounted adjacent the upper end of the chronometer I. The post is preferably formed of an insulating material. A gear 6 is journaled on the post 5 and meshes with the reduction gear 4. The gears are so constructed that the gear`6 will make one rotation in each twenty four hours.

An annular dial 1 is fixedly mounted above the gear 6 and is spaced from this gear. The dial is preferably attached to a housing 8 which is, in turn, secured to the case of the chronometer.

A cam 9 is secured to the gear 6 and rotates with it and is preferably insulated from the gear by a plate of insulation I0. Three metal contact rings II, I2 and I3 are mounted on the post 5 and are insulated from each other. A wire I4 is connected to the ring and extends to a binding post I5. A second wire I6 is cong 1934, Serial N0. 740,958

(Cl. ZIN-38) nected to the ring I3 and extends to a binding post I1. The electrical apparatus which it is desired to control is suitably connected to the binding posts I5 and I1.

A pair of arms IB, I9 are journaled on the 5 post 5 but do not rotate with the gear 6. These arms extend over the dial 1 and are adjusted at the will of the operator so that the switch is opened and closed at the times desired. This will be subsequently described.

A nger 20 is pivotally mounted on the arm I 8 and a nger 2| is pivotally mounted on the arm I9. The lower end of the iinger 20 engages the outer peripheral cam surface of the cam 9 and the finger 2| engages the inner peripheral 15 cam surface of the cam 9. The inner and outer cam surfaces of the cam 9 have outer and inner dwellings, each extending approximately degrees. An abrupt drop 22 is provided in the outer surface of the cam and an abrupt drop 20 23 is provided in the inner surface of the cam. The purpose of these abrupt drops is to rapidly make and break the circuit thru the fingers 20 and 2|.

A spring 24 engages the finger 20 and tends 25 to urge this finger out of engagement with the rings II, I2. A spring 25 engages the finger 2| and tends to urge this finger into engagement with the rings I2, I3. A contact 26 is swivelly mounted on the end of the finger 20 and a con- 30 tact 21 is swivelly mounted on the end of the finger 2|.

In operation, the cam 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 1 and 2. The outer surface of the cam will move the finger 20 into contact 35 with the rings II, I2. While the finger 20 is moving inwardly into contact with rings II, I2, the finger 2| is held out of contact with the rings I2, I3 by the inner surface of the cam. When the drop 23 reaches the finger 2|, this 40 finger will snap into engagement with the rings I2, I 3 and the switch is closed. The cam 9 continues its rotation until the drop 22 passes under the finger 20. Then the finger snaps out of engagement with the rings II, I2 and the switch 45 is opened. It is evident that by adjusting the arms I8, I9, the time of opening and closing can be varied.

Having described my' invention, I claim:

l. A time switch mechanism, a chronometer on 50 which the switch is mounted, cam means, drive means from the chronometer extending to the cam means whereby the cam is continuously rotated in one direction, a pair of arms, a finger on each of the arms, said cam means engaging said 55 fingers, contact rings engageable by said fingers, said cam means being adapted and arranged to move the fingers into and out of engagement with the contact rings.

2. A time switch mechanism comprising a gear, a post, said gear being journaled on the post, a chronometer on which the post is mounted, drive means from the chronometer to the gear, cam means mounted on the gear, a pair of arms adjustably mounted on the post, a finger pivotalLy mounted on each of the arms, said cam means engaging said fingers, contact rings on the post, said cam means being adapted and arranged to move the fingers into and out of engagement with said rings.

3. A time switch mechanism comprising a gear, a post, said gear being journaied on the post, a. chronometer on which the post is mounted, drive means from the chronometer to the gear, cam means mounted on the gear, a pair of arms adjustably mounted on the post, a finger pivotally mounted on each of the arms, said cam means engaging said fingers, contact rings on the post, said cam means being adapted and arranged to move the fingers into and out of engagement with said rings, an upper drop on the cam means whereby one of said fingers is quickly moved into engagement with said Contact rings and the other finger is quickly moved out of engagement with the contact rings.

4. A time switch mechanism adapted to be mounted on a chronometer, a post attached to the chronometer, a gear journaled on the post, drive means extending from the chronometer to the gear, an annular cam attachedgto the gear, said cam having inner and outer cam surfaces, each of said cam surfaces having an abrupt drop, a pair of arms adjustably mounted on the post, a finger pivotally mounted on each of the arms, one of said fingers engaging the outer surface of the cam and the other finger engaging the inner surface of the cam, 'contact rings on the post, the outer endsof said fingers engaging the rings to close the switch.

5. A time switch mechanism adapted to be mounted on a chronometer, a post attached to the chronometer, a gear journaled on the post, drive means extending from the chronometer to the gear, an annular cam attached to the gear, said cam having inner and outer cam surfaces, each of said cam surfaces having an abrupt drop, a pair of arms adjustably mounted on the post, a finger pivotaily mounted on each of the arms, one of said fingers engaging the outer surface of the cam and the other finger engaging the inner surface of the cam, contact rings on the post, the outer ends of said fingers engaging the rings to close the switch, and spring means engaging each of the ngers whereby one of the fingers is moved into engagement with the contact rings and the other finger is quickly moved out of engagement with the rings as the drop in the cam passes under said fingers.

6. A time switch mechanism, a chronometer on which the switch is mounted, cam means, drive means from the chronometer extending to the cam means whereby the cam is continuously rotated in one direction, a pair of arms, a. finger on each of the arms, said cam means engaging said fingers, Contact rings engageable by said fingers, said cam means being adapted and arranged to move the fingers into and out of engagement with the contact rings, a stationary annular dial positioned above the cam means, said arms extending over the dial.

7. A time switch mechanism comprising a gear, a post, said gear being journaled on the post, a chronometer on which the post is mounted, drive means from the chronometer to the gear, cam means mounted on the gear, a pair of arms adjustably mounted on the post, a finger pivotally mounted on each of the arms, said cam means engaging said fingers, Contact rings on the post, said cam means being adapted and arranged to move the fingers into and out of engagement with said rings, a stationary annular dial positioned above the cam means, said arms extending over the dial.

GEORGE STOKES. 

